Update, Mike has Passed Away, RIP - Outerlimits Accident at LOTO

Ratickle

Founding Member / Super Moderator
Just got the word. Do not know a lot yet. Mike Fiore of Outer limits is being airlifted out by helicopter. Will try to keep everyone e informed.

All our prayers are with Mike and his family and friends.
 
Just got home and got an update on Mike:

Mike is stable but sedated. He has a cerebral hematoma, broken neck, broken jaw, broken ribs, and broken leg. He is responding to tests and moving his fingers and toes.

Keep your hopes and prayers going. I will try to keep all of you updated as I learn more.
 
Another view. Thank God they both survived. Edit: viewer discretion advised. The altitude and impact are disturbing.
 
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Hopefully Mike makes a quick and full recovery. I believe they now have a new record as the fastest canopied cat wipeout survived.

This does put him in a unique position going forward. Having built the boat, designed the canopy, wrecked it, survived, and will be able to examine how it failed and held up, the strengths and weakness's he is in a great position to make serious strides in improving safety going forward.

Qatar's run now has people thinking that a 250 mph run is now not only possible, it's on the horizon.

I can't imagine what it must have been like in that cockpit, I know from other forms of racing I have done wipeouts turn the world into slowmotion and for them that crash probably seemed like they were in the air for a week.
 
An interview with Joel before the Shootout.

Shootout Spotlight: Joel Begin 'No Stress'

By Janet Dabbs
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The Lake's biggest boat race will be celebrating its 25th birthday this month.
The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has brought racers from around the world to display the limits of speed in vessels ranging from PWCs to catamarans sporting horsepower in the thousands.
Poly Lift 300x250Ugly Johns 300x100
Lake Expo focuses its Shootout Spotlights on men and women who have distinguished themselves in recent Shootouts, and who offer the promise of exciting runs this year.
The Shootout is scheduled for Aug. 16–25.
For more information, visit www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.org
Name: Joel Begin, driver
Co-racer’s Name: Mike Fiore, throttleman
Boat Name: “No Stress”
Port of Call: Valleyfield, Quebec
Boat make/model: Outer Limits SV52 2012
Shootout Race Classification: Top Professional V and NV2F1
Horsepower: 1350 twin Mercury
Shootout Speed: Top Professional V 138 mph, and NV2F1 99 mph
Notable Races/Wins: 2012 Shootout Top Gun in Top Professional V and 2012 Top Gun in NV2F1
Other Races: First Place in the Dodge Viper Races at Mount Tremblant (in a Dodge Viper and a two time Canadian Snowmobile Championship winner
Sponsor: Metal Unic Siding
Businesses: Aluminium Depo Inc. Gouttieres Begin Guttering Co. and Metal Unic Siding
Family: Wife Guylaine and three daughters
Describe the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in one word: Badass
What do you like about the LOZ Shootout? The atomosphere and the people
Talk about your last year’s record? We were very proud. We registered in two classes and won both. Even with the humidity on Sunday the motor ran better than expected and the water was perfect.
What is your racing strategy for the 2013 LOZ Shootout? It is a secret.
When, where, what and why did you first start racing? I started racing as a teenager racing snowmobiles, cars and boats.
What separates boating at Lake of the Ozarks from other destinations? The beautiful scenery and the people are fantastic.
How does the LOZ Shootout event compare to other races? The Lake has ideal conditions for pure speed.
Best racing memory? All were great.
Worst racing memory? None
What do you do when you're not racing boats? Working at one of my three businesses.


http://lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/...cle_98b24bc4-0367-11e3-ac81-001a4bcf887a.html
 
UPDATE: Driver, throttleman recovery details after Outerlimits crash at Shootout


LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The driver and throttleman of the Outerlimits powerboat that crashed on Aug. 23 at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout both survived the nearly-180-mph catastrophe. But it could be a long road ahead for Mike Fiore, who was at the throttles for the fateful event.

Joel Begin, the driver of the Outerlimits catamaran that crashed at the Shootout on Aug. 23, is being released from the hospital today—Sunday, Aug. 24—according to Ron Duggan, the race director. Begin was taken to Lake Regional Hospital after the crash on Saturday morning.

Fiore, however, has several broken bones, and was scheduled for surgery on Sunday to begin the mending process for one of them. Duggan reported the driver was moving his fingers and toes after the crash and indicated his neck was not broken.

The official word from Fiore's family is that he is in critical condition, but is stable.

Duggan also reported Fiore was responsive on Saturday night and Sunday morning.


http://lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/...cle_7bc6e56a-2bbb-11e4-86b3-0019bb2963f4.html
 
From You Tube poster:

Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout Outerlimits Crash
I don't own these videos I just edited some of them together for a bigger view.
 
Outerlimits Powerboats
3 minutes ago

"Outerlimits Offshore Powerboat Company President/CEO and Founder Michael Fiore passed away this evening from injuries sustained during a boating event in Missouri over the weekend. Mr. Fiore, age 44 of Bristol, RI developed complications from surgery when he died at University Hospital in Missouri. The entire Outerlimits family is devastated by the loss of our friend and leader of our company. Mike's love for high speed boating was only out matched by the love for his wife, three young children and his family. Details on arrangements will be made and released in the coming days, and in the meantime we hope all understand the family's need to grieve for their loss privately," said Frank Sciacca, General Counsel of Outerlimits Offshore Powerboat Company.

https://www.facebook.com/Outerlimitspowerboats
 
Our deepest condolences to his family and close friends. I always enjoyed talking with Mike and he will be missed by all who knew him and the entire performance boating world. Prayers for all, Paul and Terri
 

COLUMBIA, Mo. — In a tragic turn, Mike Fiore, age 44, died Tuesday evening from injuries he sustained in a powerboating crash at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout on Saturday, Aug. 23.

According to a statement released by Outerlimits Powerboats, Fiore developed complications after undergoing surgery; he was pronounced dead on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 6:44 p.m.

Fiore was from Bristol, Rhode Island and was the President/CEO and founder of Outerlimits. He is survived by his wife and three children.

The crash occurred at around 10:30 a.m., in the early runs of the Shootout—a race long reputed for its safety and for being almost totally devoid of serious crashes. Driver Joel Begin was hospitalized and released the next day, but Fiore’s injuries were more substantial, and he was flown to University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. Reports on Sunday portrayed Fiore as responsive and stable, though with critical injuries.

This is the first fatality to result from a crash at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, which has run for 26 years.

"The entire Outerlimits family is devastated by the loss of our friend and leader of our company," Outerlimits’ general counsel Frank Sciacca said. "Mike’s love for high speed boating was only out matched by the love for his wife, three young children and his family."


http://lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/...cle_cfbbc3da-2d9f-11e4-894e-001a4bcf887a.html
 
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